CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The City Council this week postponed their vote on annexing land off of Interstate 24 near Exit 4 because of an empty seat on the council.

Multiple council members said they wanted to postpone so that residents of Ward 12, where the property is located, can be represented on the matter. In addition, council members wanted to postpone because they have heard several concerns from Ward 12 residents.

While one of the partners on the development, Vernon Weakley, said he has received no opposition during the public meetings, some people have emailed their elected officials with objections to the project.

Public concerns about development

Council member Karen Reynolds told Weakley she isn’t opposed to growth and infill, or to the annexation, but she said Ward 12 is still without a public park. Reynolds said this is the same point constituents have made to the council members.

“As council people, what we’re hearing is, ‘I don’t oppose infill; I don’t oppose growth; I oppose your building apartments where cement goes right up to the house, and there’s no place for my 10-year-old to bounce a basketball. Or we don’t have a park to walk to.’ So, Ward 12 has no park, the entire area of Ward 12.”

Weakley responded that this particular piece of property has an area that’s in the flood zone, which would make a great park. He added that in their plans, they discussed building a private park, but they wouldn’t mind developing it into a public park instead.

Weakley said they could even broaden the park, which would be discussed at the Planning level when the plan comes forward.

Public traffic concerns

Council member Deanna McLaughlin said one of the concerns discussed last week was Oakland Road, and the traffic going in and out. She said there could be, potentially, six accesses to Oakland Road off of the large annexation section.

She asked Weakley if he and his partners have discussed giving additional right-of-way for a lane to hold traffic in and out of that development. That way they could help move traffic.

Weakley responded that the six entrances would be more than enough to support the 100 acres of the zoning request, but they won’t have any problem inputting a right-of-way to help traffic.

Zoning request clarification

Council member Ambar Marquis asked about the transition from AG to C-4, which could enable businesses such as hotels.

However, the developers already have a project in mind: They are one of a half-dozen sites under consideration to construct a VA Outpatient Clinic. This would take around 30 acres of ground, which is why they asked for a zone change to C-4.

Weakley said if this project weren’t to happen, and C-4 isn’t a zone in demand, the developers would more than likely seek a different zone change.

Connecting with Cracker Barrel Drive

Reynolds said there’s an opportunity to connect through Cracker Barrel Drive to pull traffic away from established communities in the area. Reynolds asked if this were something the developers would consider.

Weakley said it is something they would consider, but added that he believes there would be a lot of cut-through traffic if that were the case, because of how the five lights are set up on Wilma Rudolph Boulevard. Weakley said he’s not sure what it solves, but he is open to the idea.

What’s next

The City Council will vote on the annexation at their meeting on June 2.

Once a Ward 12 official has been appointed, which will happen on Wednesday, it’s been suggested that the new council member work with Weakley and hold a town hall meeting to hear any additional concerns.